Do you ever get the Feeling?

Do you ever get the feeling there's nothing social about social media?

The Man From La Mancha

No I have never been to La Mancha but my quest is sincere. Take the time to spend your money in the lovely place you want to visit. Don't make the hotel or activity provider pay a commission to greet you. Book direct, cut out the commissions and experience a truly warm welcome.

                             

Save £ and Support Local Tourism - Book Direct

- Nelson Haerr -

Fair Booking UK = altruistic coated commission site

What is FairBookingUK?

In their words:
FairBookingUK is a campaign to encourage visitors to book directly with UK accommodation providers. Established by Cumbria Tourism, New Forest Tourism Partnership and Visit Cornwall with the backing of their technology partner New Vision Group.

In my words:
FairBookingUK has taken a page out of the multinational OTA booking sites handbook and convinced various tourism associations across the UK that a 10% UK based commission site is a more palatable alternative. Meanwhile accommodation and activity providers are still stuck paying out exorbitant commissions. Great news for the New Vision Group, not so good news for Mom and Pop's B&B.

In Conclusion:
Search on-line then take the time to book direct.  An OTA will promise low or no fees but only you can guarantee it.

# Scam Alert - UK website preaches altruistic tourism but whacks hotels with 10% commission

I must admit I was excited to see what FairbookingUK.com was doing to stem the onslaught of the Online Travel Agency fees but substituting one OTA for another fee based system is just another disappointing con.

Proof is the following excerpt from their site.

What will it cost?
There is no sign up cost to join FairBooking or to feature on the national website, www.fairbookinguk.com. However, any bookings you receive through the website will be subject to (the standard Guestlink) 10% commission (inc Vat) collected a month after the guest has stayed.
http://fairbookinguk.com

Therefore:
Dear FairbookingUK.com,
When educating the public to book direct for the benefit of local tourism/economy please don't try to pretend substitution is change.

# Book Direct # Not Scam Direct

Keep the Commissions in Britain

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1688055578091685/

#keepbooking.commission-ingreat.britain

I grew up in the States with a national speed limit set at 55 to save petrol.  We switched off the lights when not in use and even now we are requested to sort out our garbage/recycling and consider our carbon footprints...

What would be so hard about creating a real campaign encouraging people to book direct with their chosen accommodation provider and keep the commissions in Britain?  If we can save the Whales and the Rain Forests can we not consider saving the British Tourism industry?  

With 20% VAT and nearly 20% commissions the tourism sector which is the life blood of many areas is getting absolutely hammered.  If these funds continue being sucked off shore this sector will continue to suffer.

Every change has a starting point.   Politicians talk VAT to win elections but commissions aren't politics they're people, British people.  Our government won't lead on this as they feed on commissions too but they can stand to benefit from an honest grassroots movement with national significance. 

If we the public can make an educated cup of tea it stands to reason we can book direct.

Ready for Change?

#keepthebooking.comission-ingreat.britain

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